Weiss: Opposition to Peak 8 expansion

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I am writing to reiterate my previously voiced position on the proposed Breckenridge Grand Vacations expansion on Peak 8.

1) Our town infrastructure is overtaxed as it is. The guest experience in town continues to get hammered with parking issues, increased taxes and inability to find a restaurant to eat in at a decent hour. Locals and guests alike have to strategically plan a food shop in our one full-service super market in order to avoid incredible lines - and no places to park.

2) Traffic is ridiculous during the peak-demand periods. It is a shame we have to use extra staff from the police department just to move traffic around town when the lifts close. I think we have better uses for our financial resources.

3) What happened to the Peak 7/8 Master Plan? Did a little density switch voo-doo make that just disappear? It seems to me that the game of trading density from land that is unlikely to ever be built on in any case is very self defeating. Vail Resorts and our time-share companies seem to have become very adept at working the system to their own advantage. Of course, being on the inside track helps that along. Ethically, not so much.

4) Why does the council insist on adding more rooms inventory when we rarely ever reach maximum occupancy? Look at the data, it is there. Are we not faced with enough of a challenge regarding global warming, later snow arrival and earlier departure. Surely, this will effect skier visits in the coming years. They can only make so much snow.

5) Why does the council ignore the basic facts that by further diluting the rental income to the existing lodging facilities, that eventually owners will not have the available cash to improve their units or the entire condo complex. End result, run down inventory, run down property values and associated taxes (as if we need more of that) and dissatisfied guests.

6) Conflict of interest. I would hope, at the very minimum, that the "interested parties" setting on council as well as other town board seats have recused themselves from any discussion on this matter. I find it difficult to believe that the interests of the community and our guests are being served vs. the interests of a few.

7) Why does the council not get the message: We don't want to be like Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen etc. Embrace our differences. This is what made us successful to start with. We are a real town, not a place to shoe horn in more inventory in every available piece of open space. Guests come to see the mountains, not another building. This plan is poorly conceived and one more reason to send guests back to the resorts that they fled from. They want an experience with that small Western mountain town feel. Why kill the Golden Goose, she is already crippled.

8) Why has the town invested millions in keeping view corridors open only to further close them off? Yes, the thought applies to both F Lot as well as Peak 8.

When is enough, enough? This is an issue for the voters to decide. I feel that the council members have been unduly influenced by a consistent presence of one or two businesses on town council. Your community service is greatly appreciated. Please focus on the greater good. This proposed development is not it.